New Years Eve Tree in 6 Easy Steps

We have yet to go out for NYE since having kids, so that means we have been celebrating at home for the last 4 years. I tend to jump at the idea of making holidays like this as special as possible no matter what the kids age. So, 4 years ago, we began the tradition of having a NYE tree. How do you make a NYE tree? It’s really quite simple.

Step 1:
Un-decorate your christmas tree, leaving only the lights on.

Step 2:
Buy a few NYE decorations from the dollar store to put on the tree. I usually put a top hat at the top of the tree and then some mardi-gras beads strung on the tree randomly, and gold ribbon or garland. Make sure to leave lots of room for balloons!

Step 3:
Choose 10 activities, one for inside each balloon. Here are some suggestions, but there are many on Pinterest as well!

Light sprinklers
Dance party
Make a resolution
Clock scavenger hunt
Eat dinner
Make sundaes
NYE connect the dots
Decorate cookies
Coloring sheet
Family picture
Noise makers
Pin the hands on the clock
Minute to win it games
Make wishing wands
NYE word search
Wear party hats or make them
Glow sticks
Make noise makers
Plastic wrap hot potato game
Make fireworks rings
Make headbands
Play ring toss
Printable I spy NYE game
Open a surprise bag
Photo booth
Milk and cookie toast
Make a wish for 2019
Fireworks painting

Step 4:
Once you’ve chosen your 10 activities, decide on the order that you want to complete the activities. For example, the milk and cookie toast is usually the last activity to go with the “midnight” countdown. Don’t forget to make a list of any materials you need for the activities too. That way you can gather all the supplies before NYE.

Step 5:
Write the activities on paper and place the paper in your balloons. As you blow up each balloon place the number on the balloon so you don’t forget your order for the activities inside.

Step 6:
Place (aka SHOVE) the balloons sporadically into the tree.
Viola, your NYE tree is done, and your NYE party with the kids is planned!
All that is left is to pop the balloons on NYE in order, starting at 10. I usually aim to pop a balloon every 30/45 min. So time your first balloon pop based on when you want your evening to end.

Don’t forget NETFLIX has kid countdowns, so you can have your “midnight” countdown whenever it works for you!

Do you go out for NYE, or do you celebrate at home?

Comments

8 Days of Thanksgiving with Kids

I love Thanksgiving. I love the weather, I love the food, and I love the time with family with no expectation of gifts. I have recently felt that Thanksgiving is becoming more and more about meals, the big dinner, and decorations and less about reflecting on what we have. I personally feel we are losing the part about recognizing how blessed we are and how thankful we should be for what and who we have in our lives. This year I want to start a tradition with the kids that allow them to show thanks for the many things they have to be thankful for. So Starting October 1st the kids and I will be recognizing our thankfulness everyday until Thanksgiving. Here is our plan: Day 1: Thankful for Toys We have a lot of toys, many that the kids do not play with nearly as much as they should. So, I could get them to go through their toys and choose some to donate, but our elf Hermie generally asks them to do that. So for them to demonstrate that they are thankful for their toys I am going...

11 Local Gift Ideas for Mom this Year

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and as a graphic circulating social media reminded me, there are no daycare and school crafts coming home this year. With our new social distancing regulations, many people, me included, don't want to go into a store "shopping" for a gift idea, and we shouldn't. So I searched for some ideas that would work within the current regulations, while also supporting some local business who are catering to this ever changing situation. In no particular order, here are my current Mother's day suggestions. Adult beverages delivered to her home Harvest wines and Lake City Cider both delivery locally and have some really good options for the Mom in your life. Harvest Wines Lake City Cider Unique Family Photos These fabulous ladies, Branches photography and Kelly Anderson photography are creating the most creative family photos without any in person interaction with the clients. Check them out here! Branches Photog...

March Break Staycation with Social Distancing

This March break is certainly stacking up to be significantly different from those in the past. Plans are changing by the hour and we are doing our best to not panic, keep breathing, and go with the flow as much as we can. Yesterday when I made the final decision to cancel our trip to Ottawa, I started to plan a staycation that would limit our social interaction with groups. So here is my current plan on how I am going to spend March Break with my kids. We s tocked up on dollar store craft kits. I am pretty sure we bought every craft kit that they had that was age appropriate for a 4 and 6 year old. I am going to finally sign up for Disney + and start getting them ready for what I hope to be their big March break trip next year. We are going to create and follow a routine as much as we can. My kids do best when there is a routine and they can predict what is coming next. Daily Routine Wake Up: Breakfast, Dressed, down time. Structured Activity: ...

Bluenose Mommy

Search This Blog